West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1887-11-17

encompassing them both. How we
longed to be able TO give the poor girl
the paltry sum which would change her
dull surroundings into paradise.
One morning, as we sat sketching on
the brow OF the hill, CrocifisSa timidly
approached us, carrying small package
under her arm. This she unwrapped,
disclosing aboat four yards OF unusually
beautiful lace, six inches or more wide.
was not much of n connoisseur in such
things, but could recognize the unusual
merit of this piece.
"Why, CrociGssar exclaimed; /;
''where did you get such prize"
81 made IL, she answered, modestly.
cat the Convent of La Speranza. where
waited on the nuns for five or six years.
They taught me to make it, but can't
see TO do any more"
But, child, why don't yol sell this
Lee 1t would help you a long step
towards buying furniture and marrying
Reno.
"Alas, signora, have often tried, but
nobody will buy it. The nuns say it is
worth gcat deal Of money, perhaps fifty
francs: but shall never find any one
willing TO give that sum, and | would let
it go for much less
She, of course, wis1cd us to make some
low offer for the lace, but | knew il
would be great wrong TO the girl to
allow her TO sacrifice her work for a ine.
and assured her of this. Because we
could not afford to pay fair price, we
had no right to profit by the poor child's
ignorance
The nuns would offer up special
prayers for me If gave it 10 the con
vent" continued Crocifssa; "but
prayers will not buy furniturc-at least
they have not, so far"
Don't despair of your prayers yet, ~
said Amy; then to me, in English,
"There is Mrs. Webster, the rich Ameri-
can lady at San Marcello; you know she
is mad over bric.d brdc, antiquities aud
laccs especially laccs. She has heaps OF
money, and believe she would buy this
lace if she saw it,"
thought the suggestion an excellent
one, and so eager were we TO try if the
sale might not be brought about, that VIC
returned at once TO call onr hostess into
consultation. The result of this interview
was, that the next day Crociiis was
dispatched to San Marccllo with her lace,
and note 10 the landlord o. the hotel
where Mrs. Webster was saving. In
three hours Croc ii,sa returned, jubilant,
because the landlord had promised to
show the lace to all the guests in his house
/ likely t. b. interested in such things.
/ We scarcely dared TO break to Gro
ciiissa the good news that came three days
later. Mrs. Webster had fallen in love
with the lace, as Amy had predicted, and
/ at the landlords suggestion had prom
/ iscc TO pay two hundred and fifty francs
I e., ,N'o ha- Al
later. In the meantime it might remain
upol exhibition behind the glass doors
/ Of the padroue's cabinet of curiostics.
1t made one feel young and happy again
to see the bliss OF Crocifissa AMI Reno.
/ The latter was presented to us, and tho
good fellow seemed ready to risk his life
to serve us. Amy might ride on the
fruit-donkey at any hour of the day OF
night she cho G, and it was borne in
upon me that particularly glaring pair
of magenta stockings in process Of con
s.ructi)n by Gro ,ifissa was for me-
The fortune OF the betrothed couple
being now secured, negotiations wero
entered upon for the desired outfit oi
clothes and the necessary furniture. A
charming pair of rooms. in Crocfssa',
eyes, were bespoken, at the back of the
clrpcnter's house, and the wedding day
was set carly in October All was going
merry aa the anti ipated marriage bells
when the day arrived for CrociGssa t. 20
10 San Marcello and receive her money
On her first visit she had seen only the
padronc. and WIS about TO be given tn,
price of hes lace and dismissed Mt once
by him. when, on second tboaght, n,
dec dcd TO dctain her.
"You had better go and thank the lady
for her kindness, YOURSELF" he said; "i
looks more civil"
Croeifssa was shown into Mrs. Web
stcr's room, q mlrvel Of ornamcntatior
from all parts OF the globe, and o
var,oIs centuries more or less authentic
Mrs. Webster ha I, a Amy had man
tained, an idolatrOus fondnes3 for a.!
things antique; n hidcous Jug with
crack upon its drt-ingraincd sides wa
lovcl CT in her eyes than tho most skill
fully worked vase OF modern times Sh,
willingly paid fabulous prices for rubbisi
Of n bygone day, but was implacable Il
she discovered fraud in the dates Of ap
parcntly antique treasures
In very bud Italian she addrcs sed
Crocifssa, who, not understanding, re
piled in few words, which the elder
lady failed to catch. The interview being
rather n trying ono for both parties, Mrs
Webster was about 20 end il by dis
missing Crocifssa, when the girls nexl
words understood this time. alas ali
too plainly rivctcd her attention.
"What did YOU saw" she exclaimed,
n spark OF something like anger glowing
in her eyes.
"If the si0no-a would like some mar.
row lace Of the same pattern, I would
Try % make It, My 'ycs arc better
now than when ! did that wide piece, 3
repeated CrOcifssa.
"Do you mean TO say you made thii
piece Of lace7' said Mrs. Webster, Will
suppressed rage.
"Yei, signora why nOt7"
Cro"iissa regarded the now infuriaied
lady with blank amaZcment she had OK
pcctcd praise for her handiwork. instead
Of these flaming eyes bent angrily upor
her
Mrs Web ter rang the bell with sharl
violence. and demanded the instant pres
cnco Of the padrone GLOW dare you.
she cried, ~ he appeared, "try 10 cheat
me so outragcouslyH
The padrOne. mystiied rs was Croci
issa at the lady's excitement, stared in
helpless silence. Presently he found
voice enough TO falter: 81 do not under